On August 19, 2003 Special Representative of the Secretary-General to Iraq, Sergio Viera de Mello and twenty-one of his colleagues died in a bomb attack on the UN headquarters in Baghdad. All twenty-two individuals who perished were humanitarian aid workers. Five years later, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution designating August 19th as World Humanitarian Day (WHD) in their memory.
The Day’s Designation
Viera De Mello, a national of Brazil, worked for more than thirty years on various UN humanitarian mission. After he passed away, a foundation established in his name pushed for the dedication of a day by the UN to commemorate humanitarian workers killed while on mission. WHD was observed for the first time on August 19, 2009.
Yearly Themes
WHD is an international day dedicated to recognizing humanitarian personnel and those who have lost their lives working for humanitarian causes. Each year, WHD focuses on a theme. Moreover, the organization brings together partners from across the humanitarian system. The previous year’s theme: climate change and the immediate human cost of the climate crisis by pressuring world leaders to take meaningful climate action for the world’s most vulnerable people. 2020’s theme was real life heroes: the stories of people who affected change in real life. 2019 shown the spotlight on women humanitarians around the world.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Info Source: World Humanitarian Day and Wikipedia
Photo Source: AdobeStock
